Luque guns for Norse force

By Ken Martin

Alberto Luque believes the magic of the Mestalla will inspire Spain to victory in this weekend's UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off first leg against Norway.

Play-off lottery
Spain face the lottery of the play-offs after unexpectedly finishing second behind Group 6 winners Greece. But they have chosen a happy hunting ground for the home leg, having lost just five out of 28 previous internationals played at the home of Valencia CF.

Avoiding humiliation
And RC Deportivo La Coruña striker Alberto Luque is confident that Iñaki Sáez's side will respond well to the big-match atmosphere, and avoid the unwanted prospect of becoming the first Spanish squad not to qualify for a major tournament since 1992.

Good record
"I think playing at the Mestalla in Valencia is an advantage to us," Luque told uefa.com. "It is an impressive stadium and I'm sure that the Spanish fans will pack it out for this match. It can be an intimidating place for the opposition, but for the home team the atmosphere can be a big help. I know all the players in our team are very happy to be playing there on Saturday."

International underachievers
The fear of failure is certainly something that is driving on the current Spanish squad. Despite continued success at club level in European competition, Spain's national team are renowned for underachieving at international level. Their quarter-final defeat against the Korean Republic at the 2002 FIFA World Cup was seen as an embarrassment, but if Iñaki Saez's side do not qualify for next year's EURO 2004™ finals in neighbouring Portugal, it would be the ultimate humiliation.

Much to prove
However, Luque is sure that the experienced players within Spain's squad will rise to the occasion. "We are a big footballing country and cannot afford to go out of the tournament before the finals begin," he said. "There is a real feeling in this squad that we have a lot to prove, because we believe we are one of the best sides in Europe. We must not miss EURO 2004™ in Portugal and I'm confident that we won't. I guarantee that our team will give everything we possibly can for 180 minutes against Norway."

Striker boost
Spain have been boosted by news that Norway will arrive in Valencia without both first-choice strikers, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and John Carew. Manchester United FC forward Solskjær is recovering from a knee operation, while coach Nils Johan Semb has omitted former Valencia striker Carew after his training-ground argument with team-mate John Arne Riise before last month's final qualifier against Luxembourg.

Norwegian threat
The absence of Carew - who was a big success during his three seasons in the Primera División - is undoubtedly good news for Spain, but Luque knows Norway still have the potential to wreck Spain's EURO 2004™ chances. "Our minds ahead of the first leg this Saturday are totally focused on the game," Luque said. "Norway have a good team and are capable of upsetting us if we're not at our best - we know that.

Worthy favourites
"But we are favourites to beat Norway in this play-off and if you go to sleep against any team at this level you can get caught out. In football anything can happen and we must be aware of that. Our aim is not to give them any chance to spring a surprise. I believe Spain will prove to be worthy favourites and go through to the finals."